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Avoid Allergy & Asthma Triggers as You Shape Up

Summer’s here! And it’s normal to
want to get in shape for pool parties and
trips to the beach. The decision to exercise
is good news for your health. But
if you have allergies or asthma, the hidden
triggers at the gym may be bad for
your condition.

The American College of Allergy,
Asthma & Immunology and its allergist
members, doctors who are experts
at diagnosing and treating allergies &
asthma, suggest the following tips to
keep your visits to the health club sniffle,
sneeze, and wheeze free.

Bring your own mat.
Yoga isn’t
relaxing if you break out in hives thanks
to that cushy mat likely made of latex.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yoga
or other floor exercises – bring your own
latex-free mat.

Not everyone in the pool.
Swimming
is an excellent form of exercise
for most people, particularly those with
asthma – unless chlorine is one of your
asthma triggers, or you’re allergic to it.
Chlorine allergy can cause everything
from irritation – itchy red eyes or a rash
– to trouble breathing. Your allergist
can help you determine whether you
should opt for the treadmill.

Don’t forget to bring your own
latex-free exercise mat!

Check the label before you energize.
Energy bars and protein shakes can help
you make it through your workout. But
if you have a nut, wheat, egg, soy, or
milk allergy, be sure you carefully read
the ingredients first.

Protect yourself from the disinfectant.
Gyms often use a disinfectant
spray to try to keep equipment germ-free.
But many of those sprays have
a strong odor and contain problematic
chemicals or VOCs (volatile organic
compounds). That could be why you
sneeze or wheeze every time you hit
the gym. So it’s a good idea to use
your allergy or asthma medication before
you work out.

Make sure your skin breathes, not
itches.
Many exercise clothes are made
of polyester and nylon, which helps keep
sweat off your skin. But if you have an
allergy to synthetic materials, these fabrics
can make you itch like crazy. Check
clothing labels before you purchase.
Lycra (spandex) – which gives clothes
that comfy stretch – is higher quality
and less likely to irritate.

Warm up and cool down.
Exercise-induced
bronchoconstriction can cause
chest tightness and trouble breathing in
people who have asthma, and sometimes
in others, too. If you run into breathing
problems when you exercise, ease in and
out of workouts and use an inhaler before
exercise. Breathe through your nose
rather than your mouth. And if you have
a cold, take it easy, as viruses can be an
asthma trigger.

Not sure what’s making you sneeze
and wheeze? An allergist can help ease
your symptoms by identifying your allergy
or asthma triggers and prescribing treatment.
To find an allergist near you visit
AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org.

Source: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, www.acaai.org

This article was originally published in Coping® with Allergies & Asthma magazine,
Spring/Summer
2011.